TABLE OF CONTENTS...A Certificate of Recognition (COR) is given to employers who develop health and safety management systems that meet established standards. Certificates are issued

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Occupational Injuries and Diseases in Alberta 2012

T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S Notes About this Report .................................................................................................. 2 Highlights .......................................................................................................................... 3 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................. 5 2. Occupational Health and Safety Initiatives ............................................................... 6 3. Provincial Summary .................................................................................................... 9 4. Industry Sector Summary ......................................................................................... 13 5. Industry Sector Analysis ........................................................................................... 16 6. Demographics of Injured Workers .......................................................................... 49 7. Injury and Disease Analysis ...................................................................................... 55 8. Occupational Fatalities .............................................................................................. 67 9. Certificate of Recognition.......................................................................................... 78 10. Workplace Inspections and Orders ........................................................................ 80 References ....................................................................................................................... 81 Appendix A: Terms, Definitions and Formulas ......................................................... 82 Contact Information ...................................................................................................... 85

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N O T E S A B O U T T H I S R E P O R T


• Information presented in this report is based on workplace incidents that occurred during 2011 and have been accepted as lost-time or modified work claims by Workers’ Compensation Board-Alberta (WCB) as of March 31, 2012.

• Information presented in this report on Certificate of Recognition (COR) holders is based on active COR holders recorded in the Certificate of Recognition Registry Systems (CORRS) as at January 3, 2012. COR status can be affected by timing of audits, changes in business nature, or WCB account-industry changes.

• The Department of Human Services is currently reviewing processes and other approaches to reporting this information to the public.

• Where necessary, this report presents 2011 data beside 2010 data to help with comparisons. Additional historical data are presented where possible.

• The person-years worked estimates in the Occupational Injuries and Diseases (OID) report have been revised from 2007 forward. Previous years’ OID Summary report numbers and rates will not be comparable.

• Injury claim rates based on a small number of person-years worked do not allow for adequate precision to make valid comparisons over time. Therefore, claim rates are not calculated when there are fewer than 40 person-years worked.

• Estimates of year-over-year change for rates presented in this report are calculated using unrounded figures and may not match those produced from rounded figures. Percentages displayed in tables, however, may not total 100 due to rounding.

• Throughout the report, the lost-time claim rate is the number of lost-time claims per 100 person-years worked, and the disabling injury rate is the number of disabling injury claims per 100 person-years worked. Fatality rates are expressed as the number of fatalities per million person-years worked.

• Analyses by industry are based on WCB industry classification and Human Services (HS) aggregation of data. For more information, see the industry rate manual on the WCB website.

• Analyses by occupation group are based on the National Occupational Classification (NOC). The NOC provides a standard list of occupations across the country. For more information see http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC.

• Occupational injuries and diseases listed throughout this report are based on the Z795 Coding of Work Injury or Disease Information produced by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) for categorizing occupational injury and disease. For more information see http://www.shopcsa.ca/onlinestore/GetCatalogItemDetails.asp?mat=2416404.

• Terms, definitions and formulas used throughout this report are described in Appendix A.

3 Occupational Injuries and Diseases in Alberta 2012

H I G H L I G H T S

In 2011, Alberta experienced the following:

• The lost-time claim rate of Alberta workplaces increased in 2011 to 1.49 per 100 person-years worked, from 1.41 in 2010.

• The disabling injury rate, which includes lost-time claims and modified work claims, increased in 2011 to 2.82 per 100 person-years worked, from 2.67 in 2010.

• From 2002 to 2011, there was an average of 82 fatalities per million person-years worked.

Large sized employers experienced the highest disabling injury rate.

• In 2011, employers with less than 10 person-years worked had the highest lost-time claim rate at 1.68 per 100 person-years worked. Employers with over 100 person-years worked had the highest disabling injury rate at 2.97 per 100 person-years worked.

Injury rates increased in most sectors. • Between 2010 and 2011, lost-time claim and disabling injury rates increased in

six of the eight major industry sectors.

• Although rates in the Mining and Petroleum Development sector did not decline, it had the lowest lost-time claim rate of all sectors in 2011 at 0.47 per 100 person-years worked. In contrast, the Transportation, Communication and Utilities sector had the highest lost-time claim rate, 2.31 per 100 person-years worked.

• The Business, Personal and Professional Services sector had the lowest disabling injury rate in 2011 at 1.54 per 100 person-years worked. The Manufacturing, Processing and Packaging sector had the highest at 4.54 per 100 person-years worked.

• Fatality rates continued to be lower than the provincial average in the following sectors: Wholesale and Retail; Public Administration, Education and Health Services; and Business, Personal and Professional Services.

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H I G H L I G H T S


Lost-Time Claim and Disabling Injury Rates by Major Industry Sector – Alberta: 2010 and 2011

Industry Sector

2010 2011

Lost-Time Claim Rate

Disabling Injury Rate



Agriculture and Forestry 2.41 3.07 1.92 2.33

Business, Personal and Professional Services 0.89 1.35 0.99 1.54

Construction and Construction Trade Services 1.39 3.10 1.32 2.83

Manufacturing, Processing and Packaging 1.55 4.21 1.68 4.54

Mining and Petroleum Development 0.40 1.58 0.47 1.86

Public Administration, Education and Health Services 1.98 2.61 2.14 2.81

Transportation, Communication and Utilities 2.01 3.41 2.31 3.95

Wholesale and Retail 1.52 2.79 1.59 2.89

Alberta 1.41 2.67 1.49 2.82

Data Source: WCB Data, Prepared by Research and Analysis

Overexertion was the most common cause for claims in all industries.

• Sprains, strains and tears continued to be the leading nature of injury with the back (including spine and spinal cord) the most commonly injured body part.

• Person-injured or ill worker (self-injury or self-induced bodily motion injuries) was the leading source of injury, with overexertion the leading type of event.

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1 S E C T I O N


I N T R O D U C T I O N

Occupational Injuries and Diseases in Alberta - 2011 Summary The Department of Human Services (HS) prepares this annual analysis of occupational health and safety information for industry and safety associations, labour organizations, employers and workers seeking to enhance occupational health and safety practices. The report includes:

• descriptions of programs and initiatives undertaken in pursuit of the occupational health and safety mission and goals;

• analysis of provincial occupational injury and disease information against a national picture;

• estimates of the risk of injury or disease at the provincial, industry sector and sub-sector level as well as general descriptions about the incidents and injured workers.

The Occupational Injuries and Diseases in Alberta report analyzes aggregate injury claim data over time. This is important for evaluating past and present health and safety performance, and in providing strategic information to support workplace health and safety policy and injury and disease prevention.

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2 S E C T I O N


O C C U P A T I O N A L H E A L T H A N D S A F E T Y I N I T I A T I V E S

The Alberta government has developed strategies to ensure Alberta continues to be a healthy and safe place to work and conduct business. In 2011, the Alberta government identified a number of initiatives for achieving greater accountability for occupational health and safety in the province. These initiatives are outlined in a multi-point plan and include, among others:

• hiring additional Occupational Health and Safety officers;

• implementing updated compliance and enforcement procedures;

• posting the injury and fatality records of all Alberta companies online;

• revising the Employer Review Process for companies with Certificates of Recognition and poor safety performance; and

• identifying new ways to reduce work-related motor vehicle incidents and work-related diseases.

Work Safe Alberta is a government initiative to prevent work-related illness, injuries and fatalities in Alberta in consultation with industries and labour. Strategies address awareness and education, promotion of health and safety management, legislation and compliance.

For more information on what Alberta is doing to help keep workers healthy and safe, visit http://humanservices.alberta.ca/working-in-alberta/53.html.

Occupational health and safety information and communications continued to reach employers and workers

HS continued to encourage health and safety awareness for both employers and workers by providing educational and promotional materials through the Work Safe Alberta initiative.

Some of the activities completed or initiated include:

• Continuing the “Before it’s an injury” public awareness campaign to deliver the message that workplace injuries are preventable. It is available at http://humanservices.alberta.ca/working-in-alberta/12326.html.

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2 S E C T I O N

W O R K P L A C E H E A L T H A N D S A F E T Y I N I T I A T I V E S


• Continuing the Bloody Lucky public awareness campaign to increase awareness of occupational health and safety of workers aged 15 – 19 years. See www.bloodylucky.ca.

• Developing Safe Practices for Employers and Workers and the Hazard Assessment for Driving eLearning Awareness Program in support of the Road Safety at Work Initiative. These resources include a best practice guide and online tool aimed at preventing and reducing the approximately one-third of workplace fatalities that occur each year in Alberta as the result of motor vehicle incidents.

For further information on Work Safe initiatives see, http://humanservices.alberta.ca/working-in-alberta/274.html .

Additional department initiatives include:

• Implementing the annual Employer Injury and Illness Prevention Program to provide focused inspections and proactive initiatives for employers and industries with the highest injury and illness rates.

• Implementing focused inspection campaigns designed to raise the profile of known workplace hazards, promote a sustained improvement in employers achieving compliance, and enforce legislated standards.

Occupational Health and Safety Contact Centre The Occupational Health and Safety Contact Centre continued to assist Albertans by providing information about safety. The Occupational Health and Safety Contact Centre responded to over 21,380 calls and over 230 emails.

Partnership and Certificate of Recognition Programs

Partnerships in Injury Reduction promote health and safety through partnerships with safety associations, industry groups, educational institutions and labour organizations. A Certificate of Recognition (COR) is given to employers who develop health and safety management systems that meet established standards. Certificates are issued by Certifying Partners and are co-signed by HS. Achieving and maintaining a valid COR is required to earn a financial incentive through the WCB's Partnerships in Injury Reduction program.

The number of employers holding a valid COR increased from 10,065 in 2010 to 10,174 in 2011. For further information on Partnerships see, http://humanservices.alberta.ca/working-in-alberta/277.html.

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2 S E C T I O N

W O R K P L A C E H E A L T H A N D S A F E T Y I N I T I A T I V E S


Fines penalize those who neglect safe work practices In 2011, 20 employers were prosecuted for violating the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The penalties resulting from these infractions totaled more than $3 million.

For more detailed information on the employers facing prosecution and violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act see, http://humanservices.alberta.ca/working-in-alberta/6750.html.

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PROVINCIAL SUMMARY

The workplace injuries increased in 2011. In 2011, a total of 26,629 lost-time claims were accepted by WCB. This is an increase of 9.4% from 2010. The person-years worked estimates increased by 3.6% to 1,792,557 between 2010 and 2011 (see Table 3.1).

Table 3.1 Provincial Figures – Alberta: 2010 and 2011

2010 2011 Change

Person-years worked 1,729,355 1,792,557 3.7%

Lost-time claims 24,343 26,629 9.4%

Lost-time claim rate 1.41 1.49 0.08

Modified work claims 35,365 38,517 8.9%

Lost-time claims involving modified work 13,557 14,524 7.1%

Disabling injury claims 46,151 50,622 9.7%

Disabling injury rate 2.67 2.82 0.15

Days lost (LTC) 570,826 607,897 6.5%

Transaction claim costs (LTC) $200,195,531 $225,541,682 12.7%


The 2011 lost-time claim rate was 1.49 injuries or diseases per 100 person-years worked, or seven injuries and diseases per million hours worked.

The 2011 disabling injury rate was 2.82 per 100 person-years worked, an increase of 0.15 from the 2010 rate of 2.67. Year over year increases were seen in modified work claims (up 8.9%), both lost-time and modified work (up 7.1%), and disabling injury claims (up 9.7%) (see Table 3.1).

Two basic measures of injury and disease severity are median days lost from work and average days lost from work. The median number of work days lost in 2011 was seven, the same as 2010, and the average days lost remained at 23.

The lost-time claim rate of 1.49 per 100 person-years worked in 2011 was the second lowest rate since 1991.

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3 S E C T I O N

P R O V I N C I A L S U M M A R Y


Chart 3.1 Lost-Time Claim Rate* per 100 Person-years worked – Alberta: 1991-2011

4.13

3.693.52 3.46

3.36 3.35 3.393.26 3.21

3.43

3.132.93

2.782.54

2.412.24

1.98

1.731.53

1.41 1.49

0.00

0.50

1.00

1.50

2.00

2.50

3.00

3.50

4.00

4.50

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

*The lost-time claim rates are calculated based on person-years worked provided by WCB since 2006 Data Source: WCB Data, Prepared by Research and Analysis

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Employer Size Broken down by size1, employers with less than 10 person-years worked and employers with 20 to 39 person-years worked had the highest lost-time claim rates in 2011, at 1.68 and 1.64 per 100 person-years worked, respectively. Employers with 100 or more person-years worked and employers with 40 to 99 person-years worked had the highest disabling injury rates at 2.97 and 2.96 per 100 person-years worked, respectively (see Table 3.2).

The pattern of claim rates by employer size differs depending on the measure. Large employers have the lowest lost-time claim rate and yet highest disabling injury rates.

Table 3.2 Lost-Time Claim and Disabling Injury Rate by Size of Employer – Alberta: 2011

Size of Employer Lost-Time Claims


Disabling Injury Claims


Less than 10 person-years worked 4,027 1.68 5,984 2.49

10 to 19 person-years worked 1,832 1.55 2,568 2.17



100 or more person-years worked 14,788 1.39 31,650 2.97

Total 26,629 1.49 50,622 2.82


National Occupational Injury and Fatality Data - 2010 Alberta’s injury frequency can be compared nationally using information calculated by the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC). The methodology for calculating the person-years worked produces higher estimates and lower rate figures, and cannot be compared directly to injury rates produced for this report. However, it is useful for comparing Alberta’s performance against other provinces and the national average.

1 Size is measured in terms of person-years worked. One person-year is equivalent to one full-time worker working for 2000 hours.

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Table 3.3 Injury and Fatality Data by Province and Territory – Canada: 2010

Province Lost-Time Claims

Injury Frequency*

(per 100 workers)

Number of Fatalities

Fatality Frequency* (per

100,000 workers)

% of Workforce Covered

Alberta (AB) 25,045 1.42 136 7.71 86%

British Columbia (BC) 48,462 2.27 144 6.75 94%

Manitoba (MB) 15,093 3.37 16 3.57 73%

New Brunswick (NB) 4,440 1.35 12 3.65 92%

Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) 4,006 2.03 32 16.22 98%

Nova Scotia (NS) 6,975 2.21 23 7.29 73%

Ontario (ON) 60,179 1.15 385 7.36 72%

Prince Edward Island (PEI) 813 1.21 0 0.00 96%

Quebec (QC) 71,196 1.97 213 5.89 93%

Saskatchewan (SK) 12,344 3.15 45 11.48 75%

Yukon Territory 460 2.12 3 13.83 97%

Northwest Territories and Nunavut 932 2.45 5 13.14 100%

Canada 249,945 1.76 1,014 7.14 82%

*See note 3.1 Data Source: CANSIM Labour Force Survey Series; AWCBC National Work Injury and Disease Statistics, 2010

In 2010, Alberta’s injury frequency was 1.42 injuries per 100 workers, the fourth lowest in the country and lower than the national injury frequency of 1.76. The fatality frequency in Alberta was 7.71 fatalities per 100,000 workers. The national frequency was 7.14 per 100,000 workers (see Table 3.3).

Note 3.1 The injury frequency data presented here and the lost-time claim rate, although similar, are calculated using different methodology and information. Thus, injury frequency, for the purposes of this publication, is used only as a measure of comparison purposes, not a representation of the provincial lost-time claim rate. The same relationship holds for the fatality frequency and fatality rate.

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4 S E C T I O N


INDUSTRY SECTOR SUMMARY

The Manufacturing, Processing and Packaging sector and the Transportation, Communication and Utilities sector had the highest risk of occupational injury and disease. The risk of occupational injury and disease varied by industry sector and sub-sector (see Chart 4.1). The Manufacturing, Processing and Packaging sector and the Transportation, Communication and Utilities sector had the highest disabling injury rates in 2011, at 4.54 and 3.95 per 100 person-years worked. The Transportation, Communication and Utilities sector and the Public Administration, Education and Health Services sector had the highest lost-time claim rates at 2.31 and 2.14 per 100 person-years worked. Chart 4.1 Lost-Time Claims and Disabling Injury Rates, by Major Industry Sector – Alberta: 2011


The Business, Personal and Professional Services sector had the lowest disabling injury rate at 1.54 per 100 person-years worked and the Mining and Petroleum Development sector had the lowest lost-time claim rate at 0.47 per 100 person-years worked.

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4 S E C T I O N

I N D U S T R Y S E C T O R S U M M A R Y


Chart 4.2 presents information on the proportion of employer accounts, person-years worked, injury claims and days lost for each major industry sector in Alberta.

Chart 4.2 Proportion of each Major Industry Sector2 by Employer Accounts, Total Person-years worked, Lost-Time Claims, Disabling Injury Claims, Modified Work Claims and Days-Lost – Alberta 2011

20%

33%

12%

25%

18%

7%

27%

19%

15%

9% 9%

4%

12%

18%

19%

10%9%

18%

7%

18%

12%

17%

11%

3%

11%

19%

9%

20%

14%

9%

19%

10%

20%

16%

6%

17%

10%

18%

10% 10%

4%

13%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

Business, Personaland Professional

Services

Construction andConstruction Trade

Services

Manufacturing,Processing and

Packaging

Mining and PetroleumDevelopment

Public Administration,Education and Health

Services

Transportation,Communication and

Utilities

Wholesale and Retail

Pro

port

ion

in A

lber

ta

Employer accounts Person-years w orked Lost-time claims Modified-w ork claims Disabling injury claims Days lost


The Manufacturing, Processing and Packaging sector represented 10% of workers in 2011, yet accounted for 11%, 18% and 16% of the lost-time, modified work and disabling injury claims. The Construction and Construction Trade Services sector had a high proportion of days lost (for claimants with lost-time) at 27%, reflecting longer recovery times than other industries required for workers to be medically able to return to work.

The Transportation, Communication and Utilities sector had higher proportions of lost-time claims, modified work and disabling injury claims than workers covered. The Mining and Petroleum Development sector had lower proportions of lost-time claims, modified work and disabling injury claims submitted than persons covered. The Business, Personal and Professional Services sector also submitted lower

2 Agriculture and Forestry are removed from this analysis as they represent less than 1% of workers and claims.

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4 S E C T I O N

I N D U S T R Y S E C T O R S U M M A R Y


proportions of lost-time, modified work and disabling injury claims than workers covered.

The variations shown here likely reflect not only the different types of work in these sectors and different types of injuries but also different reporting practices of employers operating within these industries.

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INDUSTRY SECTOR ANALYSIS

Agriculture and Forestry The Agriculture and Forestry sector includes vegetable farms, mushroom farms, apiaries, commercial hatcheries, feedlots, custom harvesting and baling, timber management and logging and related woodlands operations including the trucking of logs. Secondary processing, such as sawmills and pulp mills, are included in the Manufacturing, Processing and Packaging sector.

Chart 5.1

Agriculture and Forestry – Injury Rates: 2007-2011

2.752.50

2.292.41

1.92

3.33

2.803.07

2.33

3.44

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Lost-time claim rate Disabling injury rate


Trends and Analysis

In 2011, the lost-time claim rate in the Agriculture and Forestry sector decreased to 1.92 per 100 person-years worked (see Charts 4.1 and 5.1). The disabling injury rate for this sector was 2.33 per 100 person-years worked, lower than the provincial rate of 2.82.

In 2011, the Agriculture and Forestry sector lost-time claim rate decreased by 0.49 to 1.92 per 100 person-years worked from 2010, and decreased by 0.83 since 2007. The fall in the lost-time claim rate over the last five years is largely the result of a

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5 S E C T I O N

I N D U S T R Y S E C T O R A N A L Y S I S


decrease in the number of injury claims and the increase in the number of person-years worked. In 2011, the number of lost-time claims decreased by 11.0% to 211 and the number of disabling injury claims decreased by 14.6% to 257. The number of modified work claims decreased by 18.0% to 137. Agriculture in Alberta is largely exempt from mandatory coverage with the WCB and figures are based on WCB covered employers (i.e. very few dairy farms, grain farms and ranches have WCB coverage for their workers). Other sources of information are available for this sector, such as the Farm Accident Monitoring System (FAMS) from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Of the injury claims submitted to the WCB, men accounted for over three-quarters of the total claims in this sector, 79.1% of lost-time claims and 78.2% of disabling injury claims. Men were injured at a higher rate than women when compared to the proportion of employment, with women accounting for 30.0% of those employed compared to 70.0% for men.3

Young workers (those aged 15 to 24) accounted for 14.7% of the lost-time claims and 16.3% of the disabling injury claims, while comprising 10.5% of the Agriculture and Forestry workers in 2011 (see Table 6.2). Over forty percent of the disabling injury claims in this sector were from three occupations: truck drivers (20.6%), general farm workers (14.0%) and logging and forestry labourers (5.4%).

The most common nature of injury for disabling injury claims were sprains, strains and tears, accounting for 40.5% of claims, followed by fractures and dislocations, (15.6%). The back (including the spine and spinal cord) was the most commonly injured body part in this sector (22.3%) followed by other trunk (for example, shoulder or chest) at 15.3%. Injuries to the legs accounted for 10.6% of disabling injury claims.

The highest event types resulting in disabling injury in this sector were overexertion, accounting for 14.4% of all claims, followed by being struck by objects, (13.2%). Transportation accidents and falls (on the same level) accounted for 11.3% and 10.9%, respectively. The most common sources of disabling injury claims were contact with structures and surfaces (21.0%) and person-injured or ill worker (self-injury or self-induced bodily motion injuries) at 12.1%.

The median days lost due to injuries and diseases for the Agriculture and Forestry sector increased to 18 days in 2011 from 13 in 2010. The average days lost also increased to 38 days per claim in 2011 from 36 in 2010. The average days lost for this sector was the highest in the province.

3 Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey (2011 Historical Review) for Agriculture and Forestry and Logging with Support Activities industries. For more information, see Appendix A.

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5 S E C T I O N



Sub-Sector Analysis:

• In 2011, the Agriculture and Forestry sub-sectors had a lost-time claim rate greater than the provincial average of 1.49 per 100 person-years worked and disabling injury rate lower than the provincial average of 2.82 per 100 person-years worked.

• In 2011, the lost-time claim rate in the Agriculture sub-sector decreased by 0.34 to 1.77 per 100 person-years worked. For Forestry, the lost-time claim rate decreased by 0.71 to 2.08 per 100 person-years worked.

• In 2011, the disabling injury rate decreased in the Agriculture sub-sector by 0.51 to 2.23 per 100 person-years worked. The Forestry sub-sector recorded a decrease in the disabling injury rate, to 2.45 per 100 person-years worked.

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Table 5.1 Agriculture and Forestry Sector – Alberta: 2010 and 2011

Industry Sector 2010 2011 Change

Agriculture and Forestry

Estimated person-years worked 9,814 11,018 12.3%

Lost-time claims 237 211 -11.0%

Lost-time claim rate 2.41 1.92 -0.49

Modified work claims 167 137 -18.0%

Disabling injury claims 301 257 -14.6%

Disabling injury rate 3.07 2.33 -0.74

Sub-Sector 2010 2011 Change

Agriculture Estimated person-years worked 5,367 5,831 8.7%






Forestry Estimated person-years worked 4,447 5,186 16.6%







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Business, Personal and Professional Services The Business, Personal and Professional Services sector includes building and grounds maintenance, financial, real estate and insurance services, office labour services, engineering, architectural and research services, restaurant, hotel and recreation services, security services, private health and social services, and veterinary services.

Chart 5.2 Business, Personal and Professional Services Sector – Injury Rates: 2007-2011

1.15

1.020.95

0.890.99

1.51

1.38 1.35

1.541.65

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011



Trends and Analysis In 2011, the lost-time claim rate for the Business, Personal and Professional Services sector increased by 0.10, yet it was still the second lowest of all sectors in the province at 0.99 per 100 person-years worked. It was also the sector with the lowest disabling injury rate at 1.54 per 100 person-years worked. Since 2007, the lost-time claim rate in this sector has fallen by 0.16, while the disabling injury rate has decreased by 0.11.

However, between 2010 and 2011, the number of modified work claims increased by 15.1% to 3,530, while the number of disabling injury claims increased by 15.8% to 5,037.

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5 S E C T I O N



In the Business, Personal and Professional Services sector, 53.8% of the lost-time and 53.0% of the disabling injury claims involved women, with women accounting for 49.6% of those in employment4. Young workers were injured at a higher rate in this sector than other age groups, accounting for 22.3% of lost-time and 23.5% of disabling injury claims while constituting 18.7% of employment (see Table 6.2). Over forty percent of disabling injury claims were from the following occupations: cooks (12.0%), food counter attendants (11.2%), janitors, caretakers and building superintendents (9.1%), light duty cleaners (6.9%) and food and beverage servers (5.1%).

The most common disabling injury claims in this sector were sprains, strains and tears, accounting for 49.3% of all claims, open wounds (12.0%) and surface wounds and bruises (10.4%). The back (including the spine and spinal cord) was the most common body part injured (20.2%), followed by wrists and hands (13.9%), and other trunk (13.2%).

The events most commonly resulting in disabling injury in this sector were overexertion (18.7%), falls (on the same level) (16.6%), and being struck by objects (12.1%). The most common sources of disabling injury claims were contact with structures and surfaces (21.7%), and person-injured or ill worker (self-injury or self-induced bodily motion injuries) (20.4%), and containers (14.0%).

The median days lost due to injuries and diseases for the Business, Personal and Professional Services sector remained at six in 2011, the average days lost remained at 19.


• The two largest sub-sectors, Restaurant, Hotel and Recreation Services and Other Business, Personal and Professional Services, accounted for 43.2% and 18.8% of total person-years worked in 2011. The Restaurant, Hotel and Recreation Services sub-sector saw an increase in the lost-time claim rate of 0.19. The lost-time claim rate in Other Business, Personal and Professional Services sub-sector remained at 0.57 per 100 person-years worked.

• With the exception of one sub-sector, lost-time claim rates were lower than the average rate for the province (see Table 5.2) of 1.49 per 100 person-years worked.

4 Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey (2011 Historical Review) for the Finance, Insurance, Real Estate and Leasing industry, the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry, the Business, Building and Other Support Services industry, Information, Culture and Recreation industry and the Accommodation and Food Services industry. For more information, see Appendix A.

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Table 5.2 Business, Personal and Professional Services Sector – Alberta: 2010 and 2011


Business, Personal and Professional Services








Animal Care Services


Lost-time claims 57 57 0.0%


Modified work claims 53 57 7.5%

Disabling injury claims 71 82 15.5%


Building and Ground Maintenance

Estimated person-years worked 16,689 16,295 -2.4%






Engineering, Architectural, Designing and Research Services







Environmental Services







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5 S E C T I O N



Table 5.2 (continued) Business, Personal and Professional Services Sector – Alberta: 2010 and 2011


Personal Services-Maintenance







Restaurant, Hotel and Recreation Services







Other Personal Services







Private Health Services and Seniors Accommodations







Other Estimated person-years worked 56,420 61,287 8.6%






Data Source: WCB Data, Prepared by Research and Analysis.

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5 S E C T I O N



Construction and Construction Trade Services The Construction and Construction Trade Services sector includes residential construction, industrial construction, road building, industrial labour and specialized construction trades such as roofing, plumbing, painting, electrical wiring, bricklaying and masonry.

Chart 5.3 Construction and Construction Trade Services Sector – Injury Rates: 2007-2011

2.12

1.701.55

1.39 1.32

4.14

3.49

3.102.83

4.63

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

5.0

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011



Trends and Analysis In 2011, the lost-time claim rate for this sector was the third lowest of all sectors in the province at 1.32 per 100 person-years worked. The disabling injury rate in this sector was 2.83 per 100 person-years worked.

In 2011, the lost-time claim rate decreased by 0.07. The disabling injury rate in 2011 was 2.83 per 100 person-years worked, a decrease of 0.27 from 2010 (see Table 5.3).

The majority of claims in this sector were from men who accounted for 91.5% of lost-time claims and 90.6% of the disabling injury claims. Men represented 87.1% of those in employment.5 Young workers aged 15 to 24 years accounted for 18.7% of lost-time claims, 21.2% of disabling injury claims and 15.2% of those in employment (see Table 6.2). By occupation, 14.7% of disabling injury claimants

5 Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey (2011 Historical Review) for the Construction industry. For more information, see Appendix A.

25

5 S E C T I O N



were construction trades helpers and labourers, 8.0% were carpenters, 6.0% were electricians (except industrial and power system electricians) and 6.6% were other trades helpers and labourers.

The leading nature of injury was sprains, strains and tears, accounting for 46.9% of all disabling injury claims, followed by open wounds (12.7%), and surface wounds and bruises, 12.2%. The main parts of body injured were the back (including the spine and spinal cord), 19.8% and other trunk, 13.4%. Injuries to legs accounted for 11.8% of the disabling injury claims. Injuries to fingers, and ankles and feet, and injuries to wrists and hands accounted for 11.3%, 11.2% and 10.5% of disabling injury claims.

The main sources of injury that resulted in disabling injury claims in this sector were parts and materials, 20.6%, person-injured or ill worker (self-injury or self-induced bodily motion injuries), 18.0%, and structures and surfaces, 20.0%. The main event types were overexertion, at 19.2% and struck by object, 16.2%, followed by bodily reaction, 14.2%.

The median days lost due to injuries and diseases for the Construction and Construction Trade Services Sector remained at 12; the average days lost decreased to 35 days per claim from 36 in 2010.


• The lost-time claim rate was lower than the provincial rate of 1.49 in five sub-sectors: Industrial Construction sub-sector, Mechanical, Electrical and Insulation sub-sector, Roadbuilders sub-sector, Scaffolders sub-sector and Other Construction sub-sector.

• The disabling injury rate was higher than the provincial average of 2.82 in four sub-sectors: Construction Trade Services sub-sector, Door and Glass Installation and Repair sub-sector, Mechanical, Electrical and Insulation sub-sector, Roofers sub-sector. The Doors and Glass Installation and Repair sub-sector had the highest rate at 5.38 per 100 person-years worked, followed by the Roofers sub-sector with 4.76 per 100 person-years worked.

26

5 S E C T I O N



Table 5.3 Construction and Construction Trade Services Sector – Alberta: 2010 and 2011


Construction and Construction Trade Services




Modified work claims 7,701 7,617 -1.1%




Construction Trade Services







Doors and Glass Installation and Repair







Industrial Construction





Disabling injury claims 2,243 2,031 -9.5%


Mechanical, Electrical and Insulation







27

5 S E C T I O N



Table 5.3 (continued) Construction and Construction Trade Services Sector –Alberta: 2010 and 2011


Roadbuilders Estimated person-years worked 45,634 51,936 13.8%






Roofers Estimated person-years worked 7,387 8,320 12.6%






Scaffolders Estimated person-years worked 6,557 6,627 1.1%













28

5 S E C T I O N



Manufacturing, Processing and Packaging The Manufacturing, Processing and Packaging sector includes meat, hides and pelts, clothing and textiles, food and beverage products, wood products, furniture and allied products, printing and publishing, rubber, clay and concrete products, metal foundries and products, instrumentation, fertilizer, petrochemical and plastic products and crude oil refining.

Chart 5.4 Manufacturing, Processing and Packaging Sector – Injury Rates: 2007-2011

2.862.35

1.64 1.55 1.68

6.07

4.33 4.214.54

6.77

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011



Trends and Analysis In 2011, the lost-time claim rate for this sector was 1.68 per 100 person-years worked. The disabling injury rate was 4.54 per 100 person-years worked (see Chart 5.4).

The lost-time claim rate for the Manufacturing, Processing and Packaging sector increased in 2011 by 0.13 from 2010. The disabling injury rate in 2011 was 4.54 per 100 person-years worked, a 0.33 increase from 2010.

In 2011, young workers accounted for 14.9% of lost-time claims, 17.8% of disabling injury claims and 8.8% of those in employment6 (see Table 6.2). Men accounted for 83.7% of the total lost-time claims, 84.1% of disabling injury claims, while

6 Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey (2011 Historical Review) for the Manufacturing industry. For more information see Appendix A.

29

5 S E C T I O N



comprising 74.2% of those in employment. Welders and related machine operators experienced the largest number of injuries and diseases in this sector by occupation, with 12.7% of disabling injury claims, followed by industrial butchers, meat cutters and poultry preparers, 8.1%, and labourers in food, beverage and tobacco processing, 7.0%.

The leading nature of injury was sprains, strains and tears, accounting for 41.2% of the disabling injury claims in this sector, followed by surface wounds and bruises, 15.7%, and open wounds 14.5%. The main parts of body injured were the back (including the spine and spinal cord), 17.9%, and fingers and fingernails, 17.6%. Injuries to other trunk accounted for 13.2%.

The main sources of injury that resulted in disabling injury claims were parts and materials, 22.0%, person-injured or ill worker (self-injury or self-induced bodily motion injuries), 19.0%, followed by structures and surfaces, 12.1%. The main event types were overexertion at 20.3%, struck by object, 19.1%, and bodily reaction, 10.1%.

The disabling injury rate continued to be the highest of all industry sectors while the median days lost, six, and the average days lost, 20, were some of the lowest in the province.


• In 2011, the largest sub-sector, Primary Metal Products, accounting for 38.7% of the person-years worked in the Manufacturing, Processing and Packaging sector, demonstrated an increase in lost-time claims of 32.9% and a 12.9% increase in person-years worked.

• The lost-time claim and disabling injury rates were lower than the provincial rates for five sub-sectors: Gases, Fertilizer, Petrochemicals, Refining and Manufacturing sub-sector, Industrial Equipment sub-sector, Printed and Published Products sub-sector, Clothing and Textile Products sub-sector, and the Other Manufacturing, Processing and Packaging sub-sector.

• The Meat, Hides and Pelt Products sub-sector represents the highest disabling injury rates of all the sub-sectors in Manufacturing, Processing and Packaging, and also one of the highest provincially. In 2011, its disabling injury rate was 12.27 per 100 person-years worked, over four times higher than the average for all sub-sectors in the province. Its lost-time claim rate was also greater than the average for all sub-sectors in the province.

30

5 S E C T I O N



Table 5.4 Manufacturing, Processing and Packaging Sector – Alberta: 2010 and 2011


Manufacturing, Processing and Packaging








Clothing and Textile Products







Feed, Seed, Food and Beverage Products







Foundries (not Steel), Rubber and Nonmetallic Products







Furniture and Allied Products







31

5 S E C T I O N



Table 5.4 (continued) Manufacturing, Processing and Packaging Sector – Alberta: 2010 and 2011


Gases, Fertilizer, Petrochemicals Refining and Manufacturing







Industrial Equipment







Meat, Hides and Pelt Products







Plastic Products Estimated person-years worked 4,190 4,203 0.3%






Primary Metal (esp. Steel) Products







32

5 S E C T I O N



Table 5.4 (continued) Manufacturing, Processing and Packaging Sector – Alberta: 2010 and 2011


Printed and Published Products







Wood Products Estimated person-years worked 19,326 20,569 6.4%




Disabling injury claims 991 1,053 6.3%


Other Estimated person-years worked 10,776 9,954 -7.6%







33

5 S E C T I O N



Mining and Petroleum Development The Mining and Petroleum Development sector includes underground mining, open pit mining, mining and processing of oil sands, oil or gas pipeline transmission and upstream oil and gas industries such as seismic exploration, drilling of wells, well servicing with service rigs, oilfield downhole services and upstream production. Secondary processing activities such as oil refineries and petrochemical manufacturing are included in the Manufacturing, Processing and Packaging sector.

Chart 5.5 Mining and Petroleum Development Sector – Injury Rates: 2007-2011

0.59 0.520.36 0.40 0.47

2.25

1.36

1.58

1.86

2.31

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011



Trends and Analysis In 2011, the lost-time claim rate for this sector was the lowest of all sectors in the province at 0.47 per 100 person-years worked. It was also the sector with the second- lowest disabling injury rate, 1.86 per 100 person-years worked (see Chart 5.5).

The greatest proportion of lost-time and disabling injury claims involved men, at 92.8% and 92.9%, respectively. In 2011, men accounted for 77.0% of those in employment.7 Women, on the other hand, accounted for 7.2% of the lost-time and 7.1% of the disabling injury claims and 23.0% of those in employment. This separation is likely due to occupational differences between genders in this industry. 7 Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey (2011 Historical Review) for the Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction industry. For more information, see Appendix A.

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5 S E C T I O N



Young workers accounted for 18.1% of lost-time claims, 22.7% of disabling injury claims yet only 11.8% of employment8 (see Table 6.2). By occupation group, oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers accounted for 33.8% of disabling injury claims, and heavy equipment operators (except crane) at 10.8%. This was followed by oil and gas well drilling workers and services operators, 7.9%, and oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers, 4.9%.

The leading nature of injury was sprains, strains and tears, accounting for 44.6% of disabling injury claims, followed by other traumatic injuries and diseases, 14.9%, and surface wounds and bruises, 12.4%. The main parts of body injured were the back (including the spine and spinal cord), 16.6%, fingers and fingernails, 15.4% and other trunk, 13.8%.

The main sources of injury that resulted in disabling injury claims were parts and materials, 21.0%, person-injured or ill worker (self-injury or self-induced bodily motion injuries), 18.1%, followed by structures and surfaces, 14.8%. The main event type was overexertion, 14.8%. This was followed by bodily reaction, 14.2%.

The median days lost from work due to injuries and diseases for this sector decreased to 11 days in 2011 from 14 in 2010. The average days lost was 34 days per claim, down from 35 in 2010.


• In 2011, the largest sub-sector, Petroleum Producers and Exploration, accounting for 37.6% of the person-years worked in the Mining and Petroleum Development sector, demonstrated an increase in the disabling injury rate by 0.19.

• Five sub-sectors had lost-time claim and disabling injury rates lower than the provincial level; the Coal Mining sub-sector, the Mining and Processing Other than Coal Mining sub-sector, the Petroleum Producers and Exploration sub-sector, the Pipeline Cleaning and Transmission sub-sector and the Other Mining and Petroleum sub-sector.

8 Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey (2011 Historical Review). For more information see Appendix A.

35

5 S E C T I O N



Table 5.5 Mining and Petroleum Development Sector – Alberta: 2010 and 2011


Mining and Petroleum Development








Coal Mining Estimated person-years worked 5,832 7,324 25.6%






Drilling Services Estimated person-years worked 14,280 16,723 17.1%






Mining and Processing Other Than Coal Mining







Oilfield Services Estimated person-years worked 33,898 36,275 7.0%



Modified work claims 876 1,015 15.9%

Disabling injury claims 940 1,095 16.5%


36

5 S E C T I O N



Table 5.5 (continued) Mining and Petroleum Development Sector – Alberta: 2010 and 2011


Petroleum Producers and Exploration







Pipeline Cleaning and Transmission














37

5 S E C T I O N



Public Administration, Education and Health Services Public Administration includes the Government of Alberta and its agencies and all forms of local government including cities (including fire-fighters and other emergency services), towns, villages and municipal districts. Education services include universities, colleges, business schools, driving schools, kindergartens, museums and libraries. Health services include health care centres, continuing care facilities and home support services.

Chart 5.6 Public Administration, Education and Health Services Sector9 – Injury Rates: 2007-2011

2.422.25

2.131.98

2.14

2.962.79

2.612.81

3.11

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011



Trends and Analysis In 2011, the lost-time claim rate for this sector was 2.14 per 100 person-years worked. It was also the sector with the fourth lowest disabling injury rate, 2.81 per 100 person-years worked (see Chart 5.6).

The Public Administration, Education and Health Services sector was one of two sectors where most of the claims involved women. The other sector was the 9 In 2007, industry 82800 (Seniors' Supportive Living/Lodges) was reclassified from the Business, Personal and Professional Services sector to the Public Administration, Education and Health sector. The injury rates presented in Chart 5.6 have been revised accordingly.

38

5 S E C T I O N



Business, Personal and Professional Services. Women accounted for 67.2% and 64.4% of lost-time and disabling injury claims in the Public Administration, Education and Health Services sector, although they accounted for 73.7% of those in employment10.

Young workers aged 15 to 24 years accounted for 7.0% of the lost-time and 8.1% of the disabling injuries in this sector, while composing 7.8% of employment (see Table 6.2). By occupation, 16.9% of the disabling injury claims were from nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates, and 7.2% from registered nurses. Janitors, caretakers and building superintendents accounted for 5.2% of the disabling injury claims.

The leading nature of injury was sprains, strains and tears, accounting for 60.6% of disabling injury claims, followed by surface wounds and bruises, 9.7% and other traumatic injuries and diseases, 9.6%. The main parts of body injured were the back (including the spine and spinal cord), 25.3%, and other trunk 17.0%.

The main sources of injury that resulted in disabling injury claims in this sector were person-other than injured or ill worker, 19.7%, and person-injured or ill worker, 19.2%. The main event type was overexertion, 28.2%, followed by fall on the same level, 15.5%, and bodily reaction, 14.0%.

The median days lost due to injuries and diseases for this sector remained at five days; the average days lost remained at 18 days per claim in 2011.


• Aside from the Other Public Administration sub-sector which experienced decrease in lost-time claims, most of the sub-sectors saw increases in lost-time claims and disabling injury claims.

• The Health Care Centres, Health and Social Services and Municipal Services sub-sectors had lost-time claim rates and disabling injury rates that exceeded the averages for this sector.

10 Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey (2011 Historical Review) for the Public Administration, Health Care and Social Assistance and Educational Services industries. For more information, see Appendix A.

39

5 S E C T I O N



Table 5.6 Public Administration, Education and Health Services Sector – Alberta: 2010 and 2011


Public Administration, Education and Health Services








Alberta Government Public Services







Education, Museums and Libraries







Health Care Centres







Health & Social Services







40

5 S E C T I O N



Table 5.6 (Continued) Public Administration, Education and Health Services Sector – Alberta: 2010 and 2011


Municipal Services Estimated person-years worked 57,395 58,194 1.4%






Other Public Administration








41

5 S E C T I O N



Transportation, Communication and Utilities The Transportation, Communication and Utilities sector consists of various modes of transportation (air, rail, truck, bus, taxi cab and limousine services), assorted methods of communication and entertainment (radio, television, movies, live theatre, telecommunications and cable vision) and utilities (electricity, natural gas, garbage collection, recycling and disposal).

Chart 5.7 Transportation, Communication and Utilities Sector – Injury Rates: 2007-2011


Trends and Analysis The lost-time claim rate increased by 0.30 in 2011, to 2.31 per 100 person-years worked. The disabling injury rate was 3.95 in 2011 (see Table 5.7).

In this sector, 8.8% and 13.5% of the lost-time claims and disabling injury claims were from young workers aged 15 to 24, who composed 9.6% of those in employment11 (see Table 6.2). Men accounted for 82.7% of lost-time claims and 82.8% of disabling injury claims and 76.6% of those in employment. Truck drivers led all occupations, accounting for 32.3% of the total disabling injury claims. This

11 Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey (2011 Historical Review) for the Transportation and Warehousing industry. For more information, see Appendix A.

42

5 S E C T I O N



was followed by material handlers, and shippers and receivers, with 6.7% and 4.4% of the disabling injury claims respectively.

The leading nature of injury or disease was sprains, strains and tears, accounting for 57.8% of all disabling injury claims. This was followed by surface wounds and bruises, and other traumatic injuries and diseases, accounting for 11.9% and 11.3% of disabling injuries respectively. The back (including spinal cord) was the body part most affected by disabling work incidents, accounting for 25.2% of injuries. Other trunk accounted for 16.6% of the disabling injury claims.

The leading source of injury was structures and surfaces, at 19.5%, followed by person-ill or injured worker, 18.2%, and vehicle, 16.6%. Overexertion was the leading type of event accounting for 24.0% of disabling injuries, then bodily reaction, 14.8%, and fall on same level, 13.6%.

The median days lost due to injuries and diseases for the Transportation, Communication and Utilities sector remained at 10. The average days lost remained at 30 days per claim in 2011.


• In 2011, Trucking Services, the largest sub-sector accounting for 40.7% of the person-years worked, saw an increase in the lost-time claim rate of 0.56. This was a result of an increase in lost-time claims of 11.0%.

• The Utilities sub-sector had the lowest lost-time claim rate of 0.40 per 100 person-years worked. The Telecommunications, Closed Circuit TV and Cablevision sub-sector had the lowest disabling injury rate at 1.22 per 100 person-years worked.

• The Air Services sub-sector had the highest lost-time claim rate at 3.56 per 100 person-years worked. The Other Transportation, Communication and Utilities sub-sector had the highest disabling injury rate at 9.38 per 100 person-years worked.

43

5 S E C T I O N



Table 5.7 Transportation, Communication and Utilities Sector – Alberta: 2010 and 2011


Transportation, Communication, and Utilities








Air Services Estimated person-years worked 12,398 11,641 -6.1%






Bus, Taxi and Limousine Services







Garbage Collection, Recycle, Disposal and Towing Services







Radio, TV, Movies, Live Theatre and Ballet







44

5 S E C T I O N



Table 5.7 (continued) Transportation, Communication and Utilities Sector – Alberta: 2010 and 2011


Rail Services Estimated person-years worked 7,770 6,959 -10.4%






Telecommunications, Closed Circuit TV and Cablevision







Trucking Services Estimated person-years worked 56,265 51,921 -7.7%






Utilities Estimated person-years worked 15,885 17,962 13.1%













45

5 S E C T I O N



Wholesale and Retail The Wholesale and Retail sector includes wholesale operations, food and beverage stores, department stores, furniture and appliance stores, home improvement centres, the sale and service of automobiles, trailers, industrial and farm equipment, and office and medical equipment.

Chart 5.8 Wholesale and Retail Sector – Injury Rates: 2007-2011

2.191.99

1.801.52 1.59

3.44

3.08

2.79 2.89

3.58

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011



Trends and Analysis The 2011 lost-time claim rate of 1.59 per 100 person-years worked was an increase of 0.07 from 2010. The disabling injury rate increased by 0.10 to 2.89 per 100 person-years worked in 2011.

In this sector, men accounted for 61.1% of the lost-time claims in 2011 and 62.7% of disabling injury claims. Men accounted for 53.5% of those in employment12. Young workers accounted for 19.7% of the lost-time claims, 22.8% of the disabling injury claims and 25.9% of those in employment (see Table 6.2). Retail salespersons and sales clerks, grocery clerks and store shelf stockers were the occupation groups with the highest number of disabling injury claims, at 16.4% and 11.1% respectively.

12 Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey (2011 Historical Review) for the Wholesale and Retail Trade industry. For more information, see Appendix A.

46

5 S E C T I O N



The leading nature of injury or disease was sprains, strains and tears, accounting for 54.5% of all disabling injury claims. This was followed by surface wounds and bruises, 12.7%, and other traumatic injuries and diseases, 12.5%. The back (including spinal cord) was the body part most affected by disabling work incidents in this sector, accounting for 25.3% of injuries. Other trunk accounted for 14.1% of the disabling injury claims, followed by and wrists and hands, 10.3%, and fingers and fingernails, 9.2%.

The leading source of injury was containers, 19.5%, followed by person-ill or injured worker, 17.6%, structures and surfaces, 15.0% and parts and materials, 12.3%. Overexertion was the leading type of event accounting for 8.5% of disabling injuries, followed by struck by object, 15.7%.

In this sector the median days lost decreased to five in 2011 from six in 2010. The average days lost decreased to 16 days per claim from 30 in 2010.


• The Yard and Home Improvement Centres sub-sector had the highest lost-time claim rate at 3.00 per 100 person-years worked. This was followed by the Food and Beverage Stores sub-sector at 2.44. The Yard and Home Improvement Centres sub-sector had the highest disabling injury rate at 5.41 per 100 person-years worked.

• The Office, Medical and Entertainment Equipment sub-sector displayed the lowest lost-time claim and disabling injury rates at 0.32 and 0.48 per 100 person-years worked respectively.

47

5 S E C T I O N



Table 5.8 Wholesale and Retail Sector – Alberta: 2010 and 2011


Wholesale and Retail








Automobiles, Sport Vehicles, Small Engines and Trailers







Food and Beverage Stores


Lost-time claims 1,318 1,275 -3.3%





Industrial, Farm Equipment and Products







Office, Medical and Entertainment Equipment







48

5 S E C T I O N



Table 5.8 (continued) Wholesale and Retail Sector – Alberta: 2010 and 2011


Yard and Home Improvement Centres







Wholesale Operations














49

6 S E C T I O N


DEMOGRAPHICS OF INJURED WORKERS

Age In Alberta, workplace injuries by the age of the injured worker seem to mimic the employment distribution by age. In 2011, young workers (those aged 15 to 24) accounted for 14.8% of lost-time claims and 18.3% of disabling injury claims, while accounting for 15.1% of those in employment. Similarly, workers aged 45 to 54 years accounted for 24.5% of lost-time claims and 21.5% of disabling injury claims and 22.4% of those in employment (see Table 6.1 and Chart 6.1).

Young workers lost a median of 5 days due to workplace injury or disease, in comparison to workers age 55 years and older that lost a median of nine days.

Each age group had different patterns of injury across industry sectors. However, in most industry sectors young workers incurred a higher proportion of injuries than the average. Young workers accounted for 14.8% of workplace injuries in all industries but accounted for 18.1% of injuries in the Mining and Petroleum Development sector (see Table 6.2). Table 6.1 Lost-Time Claims and Disabling injury claims by Age – Alberta: 2010 and 2011

Age (Years)

2010 2011

Lost-Time

Claims %


% Lost-Time

Claims %


%

Under 15 0 0.0% 5 0.0% 3 0.0% 12 0.0%

15 - 19 929 3.8% 2,146 4.7% 1,104 4.2% 2525 5.0%

20 - 24 2,652 10.9% 6,121 13.3% 2,834 10.6% 6750 13.3%

25 - 34 5,660 23.3% 12,071 26.2% 6,062 22.8% 13173 26.0%

35 - 44 5,368 22.1% 9,990 21.6% 5,615 21.1% 10627 21.0%

45 - 54 5,922 24.3% 10,068 21.8% 6,523 24.5% 10875 21.5%

55+ 3,811 15.7% 5,747 12.5% 4,478 16.8% 6643 13.1%

Unspecified 1 N/A 3 N/A 10 N/A 17 N/A

Total 24,343 100.0% 46,151 100.0% 26,629 100.0% 50,622 100.0%

*Claims with unspecified age have been removed from proportions. Data Source: WCB Data, Prepared by Research and Analysis

50

6 S E C T I O N

D E M O G R A P H I C S O F I N J U R E D W O R K E R S


Chart 6.1 Lost-Time Claims, Disabling Injury Claims and Employment by Age Groups – Alberta: 2011

18.3%

14.8%

22.8%21.1%

24.5%

16.8%

26.0%

21.0%21.5%

13.1%16.8%

15.2%

23.7%

21.8% 22.4%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

15-24 Years 25-34 Years 35-44 Years 45-54 Years 55+ Years

Lost-Time Claims Disabling Injury Claims Employment

Data Source: WCB Data, Prepared by Research and Analysis; Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey (2011 Historical Review)

Table 6.2 Lost-Time Claims, Disabling Injury Claims and Employment by Major Industry Sector – Young Workers (15-24 years), Alberta: 2011

Major Industry Sector Lost-Time Claims

Disabling Injury Claims Employment

Agriculture and Forestry 14.7% 16.3% 10.5%

Business, Personal and Professional Services 22.3% 23.5% 18.7%

Construction and Construction Trade Services 18.7% 21.2% 15.2%

Manufacturing, Processing and Packaging 14.9% 17.8% 8.8%

Mining and Petroleum Development 18.1% 22.7% 11.8%

Public Administration, Education and Health Services 7.0% 8.1% 7.8%

Transportation, Communication and Utilities 8.8% 13.5% 9.6%

Wholesale and Retail 19.7% 22.8% 25.9%

All Industries 14.8% 18.3% 15.1%


51

6 S E C T I O N



Job Tenure Job tenure is the length of time a worker has had consistent work with the same employer. Workers employed for less than six months account for 29.9% of lost-time claims and 31.8% disabling injury claims while accounting for 14.2% of those in employment. Conversely, workers employed for more than a year accounted for 58.4% of lost-time claims and 56.0% of disabling injury claims while accounting for the majority of those employed, 76.3% (see Chart 6.2). New workers, therefore, are more likely to be involved in a workplace incident.

Table 6.3 Proportion* of Lost-Time Claims, Disabling Injury Claims and Employment by Tenure – Alberta: 2011

Tenure Lost-Time Claims %


% Employment

Less than 6 months 6,634 29.9% 11,985 31.8% 14.2% 6 months to 1 year 2,607 11.7% 4,594 12.2% 9.6% Over 1 year 12,957 58.4% 21,125 56.0% 76.3% Unspecified 4,431 N/A 12,918 N/A 0.0%

Total 26,629 100.0% 50,622 100.0% 100.0%

*Claims with unspecified tenure data have been removed from proportions. Data Source: WCB Data, Prepared by Research and Analysis; Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey (2011 Historical Review) Chart 6.2 Proportion of Lost-Time Claims, Disabling Injury Claims and Employment by Tenure – Alberta: 2011

29.9%

12.2%

56.0%

14.2%9.6%

76.3%

11.7%

58.4%

31.8%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

Less than 6 months 6 months to 1 year Over 1 year

Lost-Time Claims Disabling Injury Claims Employment

Data Source: WCB Data, Prepared by Research and Analysis; Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey (2011 Historical Review)

52

6 S E C T I O N



Hourly Wage Injuries were more prevalent in wage lower than $25.00-29.99 groups than in higher wage groups.

Chart 6.3 Proportion of Lost-Time Claims* and Employment by Hourly Wage – Alberta: 2011

6.4%

9.3%

6.9%

18.8%

22.3%

18.2%

12.5%

7.7%

5.0%

9.1%

3.7%

17.6%19.3%

16.6%

12.2%14.3%

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

Under$10.00

$10.00 -$14.99

$15.00 -$19.99

$20.00 -$24.99

$25.00 -$29.99

$30.00 -$34.99

$35.00 -$39.99

$40.00and over

Lost-time Claims Employment

*Claims with unspecified wage data have been removed from proportions. Data Source: WCB Data, Prepared by Research and Analysis; Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey (Microdata Files)

Gender In 2011, men accounted for 64.0% of lost-time claims and 70.6% of disabling injury claims while representing 55.1% of those employed in Alberta (see Chart 6.4). Women accounted for 44.9% of those employed in 2011, yet accounted for 36.0% of the lost-time claims and 29.4% of the disabling injury claims. The trend however, is reduced when we compare the proportions of lost-time claims and disabling injury claims to the total hours worked by each gender (see Chart 6.4).

Men represented the majority of workers in higher risk industry sectors: Construction and Construction Trade Services, Agriculture and Forestry, Transportation, Communication and Utilities, and Manufacturing, Processing and Packaging, and submitted more claims. More women than men had lost-time claims in sectors where women made up a larger proportion of the labour force. In the Public Administration, Education and Health Services sector, women accounted for 67.2% of lost-time claims, 64.4% of disabling injury claims and 73.7% of those in employment. In the Business, Personal and Professional Services sector, women accounted for 53.8% of lost-time claims, 53.0% of disabling injury claims and 49.6% of those in employment13. 13 Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey (2011 Historical Review). For further information see Appendix A.

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Table 6.4 Lost-Time Claims and Disabling Injury Claims by Gender – Alberta: 2010 and 2011

Gender

2010 2011

Lost-Time

Claims %


% Lost-Time

Claims %


%

Men 15,736 64.7% 32,557 70.7% 16,798 63.1% 34,932 69.0%

Women 8,601 35.3% 13,482 29.3% 9,441 35.5% 14,544 28.7%

Unspecified 6 N/A 112 N/A 390 1.5% 1,146 2.3%

Total 24,343 100.0% 46,151 100.0% 26,629 100.0% 50,622 100.0% * Claims with unspecified category has been included in these calculations. Data Source: WCB Data, Prepared by Research and Analysis.

Chart 6.4

Proportion of Lost-Time Claims, Disabling Injury Claims and Employment by Gender – Alberta: 2011

64.0%

36.0%

70.6%

29.4%

55.1%

44.9%

61.6%

38.4%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Men Women

Lost-Time Claims Disabling Injury Claims Employment Hours Worked

Data Source: WCB Data, Prepared by Research and Analysis; Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey (2011 Historical Review) Occupation

Occupation describes the kind of work performed regardless of the industry.

In 2011, trades helpers, construction, and transportation labourers and related occupations had the largest number of injuries and diseases with time away from

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work (9.7% of total lost-time claims; 11.5% of disabling injury claims). This occupation group accounted for only 2.9% of those in employment in Alberta.14 By contrast, the clerical occupations accounted for 4.9% and 5.1% of the total lost-time claims and disabling injury claims, respectively, yet they accounted for 10.3% of those in employment in 2011 (see Chart 6.5).

Chart 6.5 Proportion of Lost-Time Claims, Disabling Injury Claims and Employment by Selected Occupation Group15 – Alberta: 2011

2.9%

7.5%

3.0%

2.5%

1.7%

10.3%

0.5%

2.8%

11.5%

9.4%

8.7%

6.0%

4.6%

5.1%

4.9%

4.1%

9.7%

10.7%

10.9%

5.8%

3.5%

4.9%

3.6%

4.1%

0.0% 2.0% 4.0% 6.0% 8.0% 10.0% 12.0% 14.0%

Trades Helpers,Construction, and

Transportation Labourersand Related Occupations

Sales & Service OccupationsN.E.C.

Transportation EquipmentOperators and Related

Workers, Excl. Labourers

Construction Trades

Machinists, Metal Forming,Shaping and Erecting

Occupations

Clerical Occupations

Labourers in Processing,Manufacturing and Utilit ies

Mechanics

Employment Disabling Injury Claims Lost-Time Claims

Data Source: WCB Data, Prepared by Research and Analysis; Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey (Microdata files)

14 Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey (Microdata files). For further information see Appendix A. 15 Occupation groups were selected by highest proportion of disabling injury. A full comparison by occupation group (48 occupation groups in total) is available on request.

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I N J U R Y A N D D I S E A S E A N A L Y S I S

Overexertion was the most common cause for lost-time claims in all industries. Sprains, strains and tears continued to be the leading nature of injury with the trunk being the most commonly injured body part. Nature of Injury or Disease In 2011, 92.8% of lost-time claims and 94.7% of disabling injury claims were traumatic injuries and disorders. The four most common traumatic injuries and disorders were sprains, strains and tears, surface wounds and bruises, open wounds and other traumatic injuries and disorders (see Table 7.1).

A large number of sprains, strains and tears disabling injury claims resulted in injuries to the back (including spine and spinal cord), 37.2%, and other trunk (for example, shoulder or chest), 17.3%. This nature of injury also resulted in a high proportion of injuries to the legs, 11.3% and ankles and feet, 10.3%. Overexertion and bodily reaction were the leading types of event connected with the sprains, strains and tears disabling injury claims, accounting for 39.5% and 22.6% of the total claims respectively.

The next leading nature of injury, after sprains, strains and tears, was surface wounds and bruises, accounting for 11.1% of the lost-time claims and 12.3% of the disabling injury claims. The most common body categories associated with surface wounds and bruises claims were the legs, 14.5%, eyes, 12.8%, other trunk, 12.4%, ankles, 9.0% and wrists, 8.9%.

Structures and surfaces were the highest sources of injury connected with surface wounds and bruises (27.5% of claims) followed by parts and materials (16.6%), other sources (14.7%), and vehicles (9.6%). Struck by object, 34.4%, and fall on same level, 21.6%, were the leading types of event associated with surface wound claims.

Note 7.1 Throughout this section, the classifications used are based on the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standards for categorizing occupational injury and disease information.

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Table 7.1 Nature of Injury or Disease – Alberta: 2011

Nature of Injury Lost-Time Claims %


%

Traumatic Injuries and Disorders 24,717 92.8% 47,926 94.7%

Sprains, Strains and Tears 13,150 49.4% 25,721 50.8%

Surface Wounds and Bruises 2,964 11.1% 6,241 12.3%

Fractures and Dislocations 2,556 9.6% 3,888 7.7%

Open Wounds 1,999 7.5% 5,048 10.0%

Burns 709 2.7% 1,088 2.1%

Other Traumatic Injuries and Disorders 3,339 12.5% 5,940 11.7%

Systemic Diseases and Disorders 1,378 5.2% 2,061 4.1%

Infectious and Parasitic Disorders 291 1.1% 291 0.6%

Neoplasms, Tumors and Cancer 15 <0.1% 15 <0.1%

Symptoms, Signs and Ill-Defined Conditions 84 0.3% 136 0.3%

Multiple Diseases, Conditions and Disorders 4 <0.1% 4 <0.1%

Other Diseases, Conditions and Disorders 108 0.4% 121 0.2%

Nature of Injury - Unknown 32 0.1% 68 0.1%

Total 26,629 100.0% 50,622 100.0%


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Part of Body Injured The trunk was the most commonly injured body part, accounting for 36.2% of disabling injury claims and 37.9% of lost-time claims in 2011 (see Table 7.2). This was followed by injuries to the upper extremities, 27.7% of the disabling injury claims, and lower extremities, 19.8%.

The majority of all back injuries resulted from overexertion, 47.0%, or bodily reaction, 14.6%.

The upper extremities accounted for 27.7% of disabling injury claims in 2011. The two largest proportions of claims were for open wounds and sprains, strains and tears, 29.6% and 25.5%. Being struck by an object, 23.8%, and caught in objects, 17.0%, were the two leading causes of disabling injury claims to the upper extremities.

Over half of the injuries and diseases to the lower extremities included sprains, strains and tears, 56.7%. Injuries to the lower extremities resulted most often from bodily reaction, 33.9%, and being struck by objects, 16.3%.

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Table 7.2 Part of Body Injured – Alberta: 2011

Part of Body Injured Lost-Time Claims % Disabling

Injury Claims %

Trunk 10,090 37.9% 18,323 36.2%

Back, Including Spine, Spinal Cord 6,134 23.0% 11,008 21.7%

Other Trunk 3,956 14.9% 7,315 14.5%

Upper Extremities 5,551 20.8% 13,999 27.7%

Finger(s), Fingernail(s) 1,817 6.8% 5,399 10.7%

Wrist(s) and Hand(s) Except Finger(s) 2,235 8.4% 5,229 10.3%

Other Upper Extremities 1,499 5.6% 3,371 6.7%

Lower Extremities 5,484 20.6% 10,046 19.8%

Leg(s) 2,724 10.2% 4,933 9.7%

Ankle(s) and Foot (Feet) Except Toes 2,468 9.3% 4,661 9.2%

Other Lower Extremities 292 1.1% 452 0.9%

Head 2,437 9.2% 3,576 7.1%

Other Head Parts 1,728 6.5% 2,311 4.6%

Eye(s) 709 2.7% 1,265 2.5%

Multiple Body Parts 2,053 7.7% 3,069 6.1%

Neck, Including Throat 558 2.1% 1,045 2.1%

Body Systems 445 1.7% 542 1.1%

Part of Body - Unknown 9 <0.1% 17 <0.1%

Other Body Parts 2 <0.1% 5 <0.1%

Total 26,629 100.0% 50,622 100.0%


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Source of Injury or Disease The two primary sources of lost-time claims were persons, plants, animals and minerals16, 26.4%, and structures and surfaces,17 20.4% (see Table 7.3). They also accounted for 25.2% and 17.3% of disabling injury claims respectively. Parts and materials accounted for 10.4% of lost-time claims and 13.6% of the disabling injury claims.

Persons, plants, animals and minerals was the leading source of injury in all sectors, with 52.0% of the disabling injury claims the result of bodily reaction. Repetitive motion also accounted for 15.1% of these claims. The leading nature of injury connected with the persons, plants, animals and minerals claims was sprains, strains and tears, 73.2%, with the back (including spine and spinal cord) the leading part of body injured, 27.2%.

16 Persons, plants, animals and minerals include living organisms and their products as well as raw, metallic and non-metallic minerals (examples: animals and animal products, asbestos, etc). 17 Structures and surfaces include the floor or the ground resulting in sprains, strains and tears, fractures and dislocations and surface wounds and bruises. This contact is usually the result of a fall, either from a height or on the same level.

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Table 7.3 Source of Injury or Disease – Alberta: 2011

Source of Injury Lost-Time Claims %


%

Persons, Plants, Animals and Minerals 7,041 26.4% 12,742 25.2%

Person-Injured or Ill Worker* 4,576 17.2% 9,342 18.5%

Person-Other Than Injured or Ill Worker** 1,505 5.7% 1,969 3.9%

Minerals-Metallic or Nonmetallic (except fuel) 93 0.3% 202 0.4%

Other Persons, Plants, Animals & Minerals 867 3.3% 1,229 2.4%

Structures and Surfaces 5,432 20.4% 8,751 17.3%

Parts and Materials 2,774 10.4% 6,869 13.6%

Containers*** 2,610 9.8% 5,335 10.5%

Vehicles 2,302 8.6% 3,642 7.2%

Tools, Instruments and Equipment 2,074 7.8% 4,884 9.6%

Hand Tools – Non powered 862 3.2% 2,400 4.7%

Hand Tools - Powered 235 0.9% 536 1.1%

Other Tools and Equipment 977 3.7% 1,948 3.8%

Machinery 1,256 4.7% 2,548 5.0%

Furniture and Fixtures 810 3.0% 1,454 2.9%

Chemicals and Chemical Products 364 1.4% 555 1.1%

Other Sources 1,674 6.3% 3,058 6.0%

Source of Injury - Unknown 292 1.1% 784 1.5%

Total 26,629 100.0% 50,622 100.0%

*Person-injured or ill worker: classifies self-injured person, bodily conditions, and self-induced bodily motion injuries. **Person-other than injured or ill worker: classifies workplace injuries or illnesses inflicted by family members as well as non-family relations, including co-workers, former co-workers, and patients. ***Containers: classifies receptacles that are commonly used to hold, store or carry materials (examples: dishes, cups and glasses, luggage, etc.).


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Type of Event or Exposure In 2011, 41.5% and 43.4% of the lost-time and disabling injury claims were due to bodily reaction or exertion. Overexertion accounted for approximately one fifth of disabling injury claims and lost-time claims. Of the overexertion injuries, 88.0% were sprains, strains and tears. Containers were the main source of injury accounting for 30.0% of the overexertion disabling injury claims. Injury to the back was the most frequently reported part of body injured due to overexertion, at 48.9%.

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Table 7.4 Type of Event or Exposure – Alberta: 2011

Type of Event or Exposure Lost-Time Claims %


%

Bodily Reaction or Exertion 11,054 41.5% 21,991 43.4%

Overexertion 5,940 22.3% 11,529 22.8%

Bodily Reaction* 3,394 12.7% 6,625 13.1%

Repetitive Motion 809 3.0% 1,930 3.8%

Other Bodily Reaction/Exertion 911 3.4% 1,907 3.8%

Contact with Objects or Equipment 6,044 22.7% 14,154 28.0%

Struck by Object 3,143 11.8% 7,015 13.9%

Struck against Object 1,151 4.3% 2,631 5.2%

Caught in Object 1,025 3.8% 2,811 5.6%

Rubbed or Abraded 268 1.0% 556 1.1%

Other Contact with Object/Equipment 457 1.7% 1,141 2.3%

Falls 5,454 20.5% 8,594 17.0%

Fall on Same Level 3,726 14.0% 5,972 11.8%

Fall to Lower Level 1,416 5.3% 2,091 4.1%

Other Falls 312 1.2% 531 1.0%

Exposure to Harmful Substances 1,903 7.1% 2,593 5.1%

Transportation Accidents 1,476 5.5% 2,120 4.2%

Assaults and Violent Acts 529 2.0% 724 1.4%

Assaults and Violent Acts by Person(s) 420 1.6% 546 1.1%

Other Assaults and Violent Acts 109 0.4% 178 0.4%

Fires and Explosions 67 0.3% 113 0.2%

Other Events or Exposures 2 0.0% 2 <0.1%

Type of Event - Unknown 100 0.4% 331 0.7%

Total 26,629 100.0% 50,622 100.0%

*Bodily reaction: injuries or illnesses resulting from a single incident of free bodily motion that imposed stress or strain on some part of the body. Data Source: WCB Data, Prepared by Research and Analysis

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Workplace Violence It is difficult to capture the actual number of violent incidents that take place in Alberta workplaces. In 2007, Statistics Canada released information from the 2004 General Social Survey of Victimization. Using a definition of violence as ‘physical assault, sexual assault and robbery’, it found 21% of violent incidents in the workplace result in injury and about 37% of violent incidents are reported to police (de Léséleuc, 2007). About 90% of incidents involve a single male perpetrator. In 2011, the WCB accepted 420 lost-time claims and 546 disabling injury claims related to assaults and violent acts by person(s). This equates to one in every 63 lost-time claims and one in every 93 disabling injury claims. The number of claims is not a reflection of violent workplace incidents, however, as not all incidents result in injury.

Chart 7.1 Proportion of Lost-Time Claims, Disabling Injury Claims due to Assaults and Violent Acts by Person(s), Employment and Hours Worked by Gender, Alberta: 2011

Data Source: WCB Data, Prepared by Research and Analysis; Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey (2011 Historical Review) Women filed more injury claims due to an assault or violent act than their male counterparts (see Chart 7.1). Violent incidents also varied greatly by industry sector. Statistics Canada found that 33% of victims worked in social assistance or health care (de Léséleuc, 2007). The WCB data suggests that assaults and violent acts are more likely in the Health Services Industries than in other industries in the province. Rehabilitation Services for the Disabled had the highest proportion disabling injury claims for assaults and violent acts by person(s) accounting for 14.2% of all disabling injury claims (see Table 7.5).

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Table 7.5 Lost-Time and Disabling Injury Claims by Industry - Assaults and Violent Acts by Person(s), Alberta: 2011

Industry

Lost-Time Claims Disabling Injury Claims

Assaults and

Violent Acts by

Person(s) Claims

Total Claims %

Assaults and

Violent Acts by

Person(s) Claims

Total Claims %

Hospitals/Acute Care Centers (82100) 66 2,028 3.3% 73 2,268 3.2%

Rehabilitation Services For Disabled (82806) 36 229 15.7% 47 331 14.2%

Cities (95104) 43 1,234 3.5% 60 1,844 3.3%

Continuing Care Facilities (82808) 47 813 5.8% 64 1,043 6.1%

Social/Community Support Services (89925) 25 198 12.6% 33 265 12.5%

School Boards (80102) 23 456 5.0% 37 678 5.5%

Security Services/Industrial Patrols (89902) 25 155 16.1% 28 204 13.7%

Food/Convenience Stores (63100) 12 1,194 1.0% 13 2,243 0.6%

Restaurants/Take-Out Food Service (87501) 13 1,159 1.1% 14 1,455 1.0%

Hotels and Convention Centres (87503) 11 460 2.4% 13 777 1.7%

All Other Industries 119 18,703 0.6% 164 39,514 0.4%

All Industries 420 26,629 1.6% 546 50,622 1.1%


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Days-lost due to Disability Days-lost due to disability18 shows the severity of the effects of occupational injury and disease as reflected by the number of days off work. The efforts of employers to introduce modified work programs to integrate injured workers back into the workforce can have a positive impact on work days lost.

In 2011, over half of all total lost-time claims in 2011 resulted in ten or fewer days lost from work (see Table 7.6). Approximately one-fifth of the claims (21.5%) resulted in 31 or more days lost. The median number of days lost was seven, the same as in 2010. The average number of days lost remained at 23 in 2011.

Table 7.6 Days-lost due to Disability – Alberta: 2010 to 2011

Days-lost due to Disability

2010 2011

Lost-Time Claims % Lost-Time

Claims %

1 Day 2,778 11.4% 3,171 11.9%

2 Days 2,260 9.3% 2,585 9.7%

3 - 5 Days 4,177 17.2% 4,531 17.0%

6 - 10 Days 3,315 13.6% 3,615 13.6%

11 - 20 Days 3,016 12.4% 3,242 12.2%

21 - 30 Days 1,593 6.5% 1,762 6.6%

31 Days or more 5,396 22.2% 5,729 21.5%

Unspecified 1,808 7.4% 1,994 7.5%

Total 24,343 100.0% 26,629 100.0%

Data Source: WCB Data, Prepared by Research and Analysis The Agriculture and Forestry sector had the highest median and average days lost at 18 and 38. This was followed by the Construction and Construction Trade Services sector with 12 and 35, and the Transportation, Communication and Utilities sector with 10 median days lost and 30 average days lost.

Among the major nature of injuries or diseases, the median workdays lost were highest for fractures and dislocations with a median of 32 and average of 50 days lost. Injuries to the leg(s) were the part of body with the highest median days lost (10 days lost) and average days (31 days lost).

18 The days-lost due to disability refers to the length of time, in days, for which the worker receives wage compensation from the WCB.

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For sources of injury, structures and surfaces had the highest median days lost (10 days lost), and average days lost (31 days lost), followed by vehicles, at a median of nine and an average of 30 days lost. Of the types of event, fall to the lower level, and fires and explosions had the highest median days lost of 18 and 14 respectively. These two types of events had average days lost of 43 and 38 respectively.

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OCCUPATIONAL FATALITIES The WCB accepted 123 occupational fatalities for compensation in 2011. A WCB accepted occupational fatality is defined as the death of a worker resulting from a work-related incident or exposure which has been accepted by the WCB for compensation. Some of the fatalities accepted in a particular year occurred in a prior year.

Types of Occupational Fatalities Accepted by the WCB All fatalities were classified by type based on WCB classification standards. Occupational fatalities are classified into three general types:

• motor vehicle incidents (including latent motor vehicle incidents)

• workplace incidents (including latent workplace incidents)

• occupational disease

Occupational Health and Safety Officers investigate workplace incidents while local police authorities normally investigate motor vehicle incidents and workers’ physicians report deaths due to occupational disease.

Motor Vehicle Incidents Motor vehicle incidents typically involve non-industrial vehicles operating on public roads in which the fatally injured worker was either the driver or a passenger. This type of occupational fatality also includes cases involving crashes of aircraft, trains, and water vehicles. In 2011, 22.8% of the occupational fatalities were motor vehicle incidents (see Chart and Table 8.1).

Workplace Incidents Workplace incidents consist of cases in which the worker died at a worksite or as a result of injuries sustained at a worksite. In 2011, 35.0% of the occupational fatalities were workplace incidents (see Chart and Table 8.1).

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O C C U P A T I O N A L F A T A L I T I E S


Chart 8.1 Types of Occupational Fatalities Accepted by the WCB – Alberta: 2011


Occupational Disease Occupational disease fatalities consist mostly of recognized occupational diseases, that is, diseases known to be primarily or exclusively work-related such as asbestosis and coal workers’ pneumoconiosis. This category also includes heart attacks suffered on the job. Occupational diseases are frequently diagnosed several years after the initial or crucial exposure to the toxic substance, and in such cases, it is difficult to determine when the fatal exposure occurred. The occupational disease category, therefore, should not be interpreted to reflect present worksite hazardous conditions or exposures. The proportion of occupational fatalities accepted in 2011 resulting from occupational disease was 42.3% (see Chart and Table 8.1).

Motor Vehicle Incidents 22.8%

(28)

Workplace Incidents 35.0%

(43)

Occupational Disease 42.3%

(52)

Total Occupational Fatalities=123

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Table 8.1 Types of Occupational Fatalities Accepted By the WCB19 – Alberta: 2002-2011

Year

Motor Vehicle Incidents Workplace Incidents Occupational

Disease Total

Number of

Fatalities %

Number of

Fatalities %

Number of

Fatalities %

Number of

Fatalities 2002 30 29.7% 40 39.6% 31 30.7% 101

2003 44 34.6% 37 29.1% 46 36.2% 127

2004 37 29.8% 38 30.6% 49 39.5% 124

2005 42 29.4% 40 28.0% 61 42.7% 143

2006 33 26.6% 37 29.8% 54 43.5% 124

2007 44 28.6% 47 30.5% 63 40.9% 154

2008 50 30.5% 51 31.1% 63 38.4% 164

2009 20 18.2% 41 37.3% 49 44.5% 110

2010 31 22.8% 43 31.6% 62 45.6% 136

2011 28 22.8% 43 35.0% 52 42.3% 123

Total 359 27.5% 417 31.9% 530 40.6% 1,306


Latent Workplace and Motor Vehicle Fatalities Latent fatalities involve workers who were involved in a workplace incident or exposure, or a motor vehicle incident that did not become a fatality until much later, often years later. From 2002 onward, these incidents are included with either motor vehicle or workplace incident categories in accordance to their original injury.

19 From 2002, latent motor vehicle and workplace incident fatalities have been classified under the original incident. Previously, these incidents have been classified and recorded as occupational disease fatalities.

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Table 8.2 Latent Fatalities Accepted by the WCB – Alberta: 2002-2011

Year Number of Latent

Motor Vehicle Incidents

Number of Latent Workplace Incidents

Total

2002 1 10 11

2003 0 12 12

2004 3 3 6

2005 3 6 9

2006 0 10 10

2007 1 7 8

2008 3 8 11

2009 3 10 13

2010 2 9 11

2011 3 5 8

Total 19 80 99


Usually other contributing factors cause a latent fatality, although these contributing factors are the result of the initial injury or exposure. A motor vehicle incident where a worker received leg injuries requiring surgery is a good example. If complications during surgery result in a blood clot causing a fatal stroke, then the injury would be classified latent because the original injury caused the requirement for surgery.

Over the past 10 years, there has been an average of 10 latent fatalities accepted each year. In 2011, there were five latent workplace incidents and three latent motor vehicle incidents (see Table 8.2).

Occupational Fatalities: Ten-Year Trend Analysis Over the past ten years, occupational disease fatality claims accounted for 40.6% of the total accepted fatality claims. Motor vehicle fatalities and workplace incident fatalities accounted for 27.5% and 31.9% of accepted fatality claims respectively (see Table 8.1).

The proportion of motor vehicle fatalities in the total accepted fatalities has fallen over the ten years, although remained the same in 2011. The proportion of workplace incidents has remained broadly similar over the ten years. For occupational diseases, both the proportion and number of claims have increased over the last ten years.

Occupational Fatality Rate

The fatality rate provides an estimate of the number of fatalities in a particular year compared to the size of the working population in a particular year. It is expressed as

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fatalities per million person-years worked. In 2011, the number of occupational fatalities decreased in Alberta, and the fatality rate decreased to 69 fatalities per million person-years worked.

Table 8.3 Occupational Fatality Rates* – Alberta: 2002-2011

Year 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Total

Total Fatalities 101 127 124 143 124 154 164 110 136 123 1,306

Number of Fatalities Excluding Federal Industries

99 126 120 143 122 150 162 108 135 123 1,288

Fatality Rate 80 101 89 97 75 87 89 63 78 69 82

*Fatality rates are expressed as fatalities per million person-years worked. Estimates are based upon information provided by the WCB. Fatalities occurring under the jurisdiction of the Government of Canada are excluded from the calculation of the fatality rates. Fatality rates are calculated from person-years worked figures provided by WCB since 2006. Data Source: WCB Data, Prepared by Research and Analysis.

Between 2002 and 2011, the provincial fatality rate fluctuated between 101 fatalities per million person-years worked in 2003, and 63 fatalities per million person-years worked in 2009. The annual average over the term was 82 fatalities per million person-years worked. The trend line presented in Chart 8.2 shows a decrease in the fatality rate over time.

Chart 8.2 Occupational Fatality Rate – Alberta: 2002-2011


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Further analysis by incident Fatality data has been grouped into two five-year periods to reduce year-to-year variations. Between 2002 to 2006, and 2007 to 2011, there was a modest decline in motor vehicle fatality claims accepted, from 186 to 173 (see Table 8.4). In contrast, the number of fatalities due to workplace incidents increased over the two five-year periods (see Table 8.5). The number of fatalities as a result of being struck by objects decreased while the number related to exposure to harmful substances, being caught in object, bodily reaction or exertion, increased.

Table 8.4 Motor Vehicle Incident Fatalities by Type of Event – Alberta: 2002-2011

Type of Event or Exposure 2002-2006 2007-2011 Number of Fatalities Percent

Highway Incident 124 117 241 67.1%

Aircraft Incident 9 14 23 6.4%

Pedestrian Incident* 6 8 14 3.9%

Non-highway Incident** 4 3 7 1.9%

Railway Incident 2 2 4 1.1%

Other 41 29 70 19.5%

Total 186 173 359 100.0%

*Includes all non-passengers struck by vehicle or mobile equipment. **Does not include rail, air or water accidents but includes motor vehicle incidents occurring off the highway e.g. Industrial or commercial premises, city roads or parking lots. Data Source: WCB Data, Prepared by Research and Analysis

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Table 8.5 Workplace Incident Fatalities by Type of Event – Alberta: 2002-2011

Type of Event or Exposure 2002-2006

2007-2011

Number of

Fatalities%

Contact with Objects and Equipment 63 68 131 31.4%

Struck by Objects 41 35 76 18.2%

Caught in Objects 21 31 52 12.5%

Struck Against Objects 1 2 3 0.7%

Falls 40 40 80 19.2%

Fall to Lower Level 29 23 52 12.5%

Fall on Same Level 10 13 23 5.5%

Other Falls 1 4 5 1.2%

Transportation Accidents* 15 39 54 12.9%

Exposure to Harmful Substances 14 22 36 8.6%

Fires and Explosions 6 6 12 2.9%

Assaults and Violent Acts 9 5 14 3.4%

Assaults/Violent Acts by Persons 8 5 13 3.1%

Other Assaults/Violent Acts 1 0 1 0.2%

Overexertion 1 8 9 2.2%

Bodily Reaction or Exertion 2 7 9 2.2%

Other Bodily Reaction/Exertion 0 8 8 1.9%

Unknown 42 22 64 15.3%

Total 192 225 417 100.0%

*Transportation incidents include all events that involve industrial vehicles, transportation vehicles or powered mobile industrial equipment. Data Source: WCB Data, Prepared by Research and Analysis

Occupational Fatality Rates in Industry Sectors The estimated occupational fatality rate for Alberta in 2011 was 69 fatalities per million person-years worked (see Chart 8.3 and Table 8.3), a decrease from 78 fatalities per million person-years worked in 2010. Unlike the lost-time claim rate, however, the fatality rate is not a reliable indicator of the present risk of work-related injury and disease since conditions that resulted in the exposure or disease may no longer be present (e.g., asbestosis).

Fatality rates vary across industry sectors due to the different types of work activity performed. Comparing two periods, 2002 – 2006, and 2007 to 2011, six sectors saw decreases in their fatality rate. The largest decline was in the Mining and Petroleum Development sector, followed by the Transportation, Communication and Utilities

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sector. The largest increase in the fatality rate was in the Agriculture and Forestry sector, which also had the highest fatality rate over the last ten years (see Table 8.6) of 276 fatalities per million person-years worked. The ten-year provincial rate was 82 fatalities per million person-years worked. Caution should be used in considering the fatality rate for Agriculture and Forestry. Most of the industries in this sector do not require compulsory workers’ compensation coverage, resulting in the under-counting for this sector.

The Construction and Construction Trade, Transportation, Communication and Utilities, Mining and Petroleum Development, and Manufacturing and Processing sectors had higher occupational fatality rates than the average for all sectors (see Table 8.6).

Table 8.6 Occupational Fatality Rates* by Industry Sector – Alberta: 2002-2011

Major Industry Sector

2002-2006 2007-2011 Ten-year Total

Number of

Fatalities

Fatality Rate

Number of

Fatalities

Fatality Rate

Number of

Fatalities

Fatality Rate

Agriculture and Forestry 11 217 17 336 28 276

Business, Personal and Professional Services 24 19 29 17 53 18

Construction and Construction Trade Services 208 196 263 160 471 174

Manufacturing and Processing 74 80 88 96 162 88

Mining and Petroleum Development 77 150 61 78 138 107

Public Administration, Education and Health Services 55 45 63 43 118 44

Transportation, Communication and Utilities 108 191 99 145 207 166

Wholesale and Retail 46 34 48 31 94 32

Unspecified Sector 16 N/A 19 N/A 35 N/A

*Fatality rates are calculated from person-years worked provided by WCB since 2006. Data Source: WCB Data, Prepared by Research and Analysis

The Construction and Construction Trade sector accounted for 38.3% of occupational fatalities over the last five years. In 2011, it accounted for 44.7% of fatalities (see Table 8.7) compared to 19.5% of the total person-years worked in the province (see Tables 3.1 and 5.3).

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Table 8.7 Occupational Fatality Claims by Major Industry Sector – Alberta: 2007-2011

Major Industry Sector 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011Number

of Fatalities

Percent

Agriculture and Forestry 5 2 5 4 1 17 2.5% Business, Personal and Professional Services 9 11 1 6 2 29 4.2%

Construction and Construction Trade Services 51 64 34 59 55 263 38.3%

Manufacturing and Processing 22 18 17 15 16 88 12.8% Mining and Petroleum Development 10 13 13 15 10 61 8.9%

Public Administration, Education and Health Services 14 14 13 8 14 63 9.2%

Transportation, Communication and Utilities 28 23 12 21 15 99 14.4%

Wholesale and Retail 11 13 10 7 7 48 7.0%

Unspecified Sector 4 6 5 1 3 19 2.8%

Total 154 164 110 136 123 687 100%


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Occupational Fatalities by Age Group Distribution of occupational fatalities in Alberta is not even across age groups. Workers aged 45 years and older accounted for about 73.2% of fatalities in 2011 (see Table 8.8 and Chart 8.3). As many fatalities in this age group are the result of working conditions present when these workers were younger, removing the occupational disease fatalities from the total allows for a better comparison (see Table 8.9).

Table 8.8 Occupational Fatalities by Age Group – Alberta: 2002-2011

Age Group 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Total

12-14 Years 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

15-24 Years 6 8 13 10 4 8 8 5 8 9 79

25-44 Years 35 38 36 35 34 35 42 24 27 24 330

45+ Years 60 81 75 97 86 111 114 81 101 90 896

Total 101 127 124 143 124 154 164 110 136 123 1,306


Table 8.9 Occupational Fatalities (excluding Occupational Disease Fatalities) by Age Group – Alberta: 2002-2011

Age Group 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Total

12-14 Years 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

15-24 Years 6 8 13 10 4 8 8 5 8 9 79

25-44 Years 33 37 35 33 32 35 42 24 27 23 321

45+ Years 31 36 27 38 34 48 51 32 39 39 375

Total 70 81 75 82 70 91 101 61 74 71 776


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Chart 8.3 Occupational Fatalities by Age Group – Alberta: 2011


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C E R T I F I C A T E O F R E C O G N I T I O N

A Certificate of Recognition (COR) is given to employers who develop health and safety programs that meet established standards. Certificates are jointly issued by Certifying Partners and HS.20 In 2011, the number of employers with a COR increased from 10,065 in 2010 to 10,174. These employers represented 6.1% of all employer accounts with WCB in the province, although they represent 45.1% of the total person-years worked (see Table 9.1).

The Construction and Construction Trade sector had the highest proportion of employers with a COR. The Business, Personal and Professional Services sector had the lowest proportion of COR-certified employers.

Table 9.1 Employers With Valid COR — Alberta: 2011

Sub-Sector % of Total Employers Certified

% of Total Person-Years

Certified

Agriculture and Forestry 8.9% 36.0%

Business, Personal and Professional Services 1.9% 28.5%

Construction and Construction Trade 9.0% 66.3%

Manufacturing and Processing 6.5% 48.9%

Mining and Petroleum Development 5.8% 72.3%

Public Administration, Education and Health Services 5.7% 41.5%

Transportation, Communication and Utilities 8.0% 46.7%

Wholesale and Retail 3.5% 26.1%

Overall 6.1% 45.1%

Data Source: Partnership and WCB Data, Prepared by Research and Analysis Between 2010 and 2011, the lost-time claim rate for 2011 COR holders fell from 1.41 to 1.39 per 100 person-years worked. The rate for all non-COR holders increased from 1.52 to 1.57 per 100 person-years worked. The disabling injury rate for COR holders decreased to 3.33 per 100 person-years worked, and non-COR holders saw an increase of 0.16 in their disabling injury rate to 2.41 per 100 person-years worked (see Table 9.2). A low lost-time claim rate and high disabling injury rate can be indicative of proficient

20 For more information on the COR program visit http://humanservices.alberta.ca/working-in-alberta/334.html

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claims management, however, it may also be a reflection of larger employers having greater capacity to offer modified duties to injured workers than smaller employers.

Comparing COR holders against all non-COR holders provides useful information about each group, although it does not compare like-with-like. A COR is given to employers who develop health and safety programs that meet established standards. While this group is seeing continued improvement, some non-COR holders may have good health and safety programs that may even exceed the COR standard. These employers are being counted along with those employers that may have no health and safety systems in place. This makes evaluating improving health and safety trends less clear for non-COR holders.

Table 9.2 Lost-Time Claim and Disabling Injury Rates for COR Holders — Alberta: 2010 and 2011

Employer Year Number

of Accounts

Lost-Time

Claims




Change in Lost-Time

Claim Rate

Change in Disabling

Injury Rate

COR 2010 10,065 10,540 25,461 1.41 3.40

-0.02 -0.07 2011 10,174 11,222 26,959 1.39 3.33

Non-COR 2010 149,891 14,299 21,164 1.52 2.25

0.05 0.16 2011 155,344 15,407 23,663 1.57 2.41

Note: Active COR holders recorded in the Certificate of Recognition Registry Systems (CORRS) is based on information received on January 3, 2012. COR status can be affected by timing of audits, changes in business nature, or WCB account-industry changes.

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W O R K P L A C E I N S P E C T I O N S A N D O R D E R S

HS works with employers and workers to improve health and safety at Alberta’s worksites. While promoting education and best practices at Alberta workplaces, HS also uses inspections and incident investigations to identify non-compliance with legislation so health and safety can be improved.

The intent of inspections is to monitor compliance at work sites where an inspection is likely to make the most impact. Poor health and safety performance and uncontrolled hazards are subject to focused inspections. HS officers also investigate reported complaints and serious incidents. In 2011, HS completed 14,959 inspections and associated activities.

When non-compliance is identified, HS will work co-operatively with the responsible parties to correct the situation. When necessary, orders are issued by HS to correct variances with regulatory requirements. HS issued 9,117 orders in 2011.

Table 10.1 Workplace Inspections and Orders – Alberta: 2011 2011

Number of OHS Officer Activities21 14,959 Number of Orders Written 9,117

Data Source: Worksite Inspection Tracking System

21 The category “OHS Officer Activities” provides an annual snapshot of the activities performed by Occupational Health and Safety officers. In 2011, OHS implemented a new electronic database that tracks more accurately the different types of activities which contribute to maintaining healthy and safe Alberta worksites. These educational and enforcement activities include meetings, documentation reviews, inspections and investigations.


REFERENCES

Alberta Associates of Safe Rural Environments. “Farm Accident Monitoring System”.

Alberta Human Services. “Occupational Injuries and Diseases in Alberta 2010 Summary,” 2011.

Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada. National Work Injury and Disease Statistics for 2010, December 2011.

Canadian Standards Association. Z795-03: Coding of Work Injury or Disease Information, June 2003.

de Léséleuc, S., “Criminal Victimization in the Workplace: 2004,” Statistics Canada, February 2007.

Mah, D. (2003), “Presumptions and Rebuttals,” WCB Insight.

Sharp, A. & Hardt, J., “Five Deaths a Day: Workplace Fatalities in Canada, 1993-2005,” Centre for the Study of Living Standards, 2006.

Statistics Canada. “Guide to the Labour Force Survey,” 2012.

The Workers’ Compensation Board. “Rate and Industry Description Manual”.

Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey (2011 Historical Review),

http://eae.alberta.ca/labour-and-immigration/labour-market-information/labour-force-statistics-and-annual-reviews.aspx


APPENDIX A: TERMS,

DEFINITIONS AND FORMULAS

Lost-Time Claim

Modified Work Claim

Disabling Injury Claim

A lost-time claim (LTC) is a claim for an occupational injury or disease that causes the worker to have time away from work beyond the day of injury. Included are claims receiving reimbursement of full or partial lost wages due to occupational illness or injury, or payment for permanent loss of function. A modified work claim is a claim for an occupational injury or disease where workers had their normal work duties altered to enable them to remain working without losing time from work. Also included are claims where injured workers are helped back into the workplace with modified duties after time lost due to injury or disease. Disabling injury (DI) claims combine both lost-time and modified work to produce an overall figure where an occupational injury or disease disables the worker causing either time-lost from work or for their normal work duties to be modified.

Person-Years Worked

Person-years worked are estimates provided by the WCB. One person-year is equivalent to one full-time worker working for one year, and can be assumed to equal 2,000 hours worked.


The lost-time claim rate is calculated by dividing the number of lost-time claims by the person-years worked estimate, and multiplying the result by 100. The lost-time claim rate represents the probability or risk of an injury or disease to a worker during a period of one-year work, which will result in time lost from work. Comparisons of lost-time claim rates between industries, or between years, can be used to indicate increases, decreases, or differences in this risk.

LTC Rate = Number of LTC’s x 100 Person-years worked

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The disabling injury rate is calculated by dividing the number of disabling injury claims by the person-years worked estimates, and multiplying the result by 100. The disabling injury rate represents the probability or risk of a disabling injury or disease to a worker during a period of one-year of work. The disabling injury rate is similar to the lost-time claim rate although it covers a broader range of injuries, including those that are less severe in nature (do not require time away from work). The rate represents the number of claims per 100 person-years worked and includes claims made for both lost-time and modified work.

Disabling Injury Rate =Number of DI's

x 100 Person-years worked

Days-lost

The days-lost is the number of days following the injury or disease for which the worker was disabled and unable to perform normal work duties. This information is obtained for this report from data on compensation days paid on each claim from the WCB. Alberta Human Services obtains these data on March 31 of the year following the claim year, and does not update the information, even though many injured workers continue to be disabled beyond this date. As a result, the days-lost information reported here underestimates the true impact of lost-time injury and disease, although it provides a consistent method for reporting and observing trends in days-lost.

Industry Coverage

This report focuses on all industry activity in Alberta covered by the WCB and by the provincial legislation for occupational health and safety. Most industry sectors are included but notable exceptions consist of the Government of Canada, and parts of the agriculture and finance sectors. Several professional groups (i.e. the teaching and medical professions) are also excluded as are some industries where WCB coverage is not compulsory.

WCB Accepted Fatality

An occupational fatality is the death of a worker which resulted from a work-related incident or exposure and which has been accepted by the WCB for compensation. A fatality is counted in the year it is accepted.

Fatality Rate

The fatality rate is calculated by dividing the number of accepted fatalities by the person-years worked estimate and multiplying the result by one million. The result is expressed as fatalities per million person-years worked. Fatalities that are found under the jurisdiction of the Government of Canada are excluded before the calculation of the fatality rate.

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Fatality Rate = Number of Fatalities x 1,000,000 Person-years worked

NEC Means ‘Not Elsewhere Classified’. UNS

Means ‘Unspecified’.

Labour Force Survey

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is a household survey carried out monthly by Statistics Canada. Data from the survey provide information on major labour market trends such as shifts in employment across industry sectors, hours worked, labour force participation and unemployment rates. Annual LFS data have been analyzed alongside injury and disease information to aid the understanding of injury risk or frequency by worker type. Although the LFS and WCB use somewhat different industry classification systems, where possible, information from these two systems was compared and attempts were made to reconcile the employment numbers from both sources. For further information on the LFS, please see http://www.humanservices.alberta.ca/2653.html


CONTACT INFORMATION

For further information about the data presented in this report contact: Government of Alberta Human Services Research and Analysis 2nd Floor, 10808 – 99 Avenue Edmonton, Alberta T5K 0G5 Telephone: 780-427-8531, toll free by calling 310-0000 Fax: 780-422-5070

Human Services website:

www.humanservices.alberta.ca/

Work Safe Alberta website:

http://humanservices.alberta.ca/working-in-alberta/274.html

Occupational Health and Safety Contact Centre:

Telephone: 780-415-8690, toll free by calling 1-866-415-8690


Certificate of Recognition (COR) Program:


Documents

TABLE OF CONTENTS...A Certificate of Recognition (COR) is given to employers who develop health and safety management systems that meet established standards. Certificates are issued